Rabies, a virus that is easily preventable by a yearly vaccination, is transmitted through an infected animal's saliva. Commonly infected animals include skunks, foxes, coyotes, bats and raccoons. The incubation period is two to six weeks in cats. The rabies virus affects the brain, and untreated cats that are bitten by a rabid animal display the classic neurological symptoms described below.
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Anxiety
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Signs of anxiety, restlessness and nervousness such as pacing, roaming and irritability are common in rabid cats.
Fever
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Rabid cats have an increased temperature of over 101.5 degrees F.
Licking
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Infected cats lick the area where they were bitten.
Seizures
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Rabid cats commonly have seizures.
Salivation
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Cats in the end-stages of rabies salivate and drool excessively.
Difficulty Breathing
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Rabid cats display heavy breathing that is difficult and labored.
Paralysis
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Before a rabid cat dies, it often becomes completely paralyzed.
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